2025 U.S. Tariff Reform: A Practical Guide to Saving 50% on Duties by Splitting Orders

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2025 U.S. tariff policy

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HS code

customs declaration

logistics splitting

compliance risk

2025 U.S. Tariff Reform: A Practical Guide to Saving 50% on Duties by Splitting Orders

BargainHacker Editorial Office

2025-04-21

In the wake of the 2025 U.S. tariff policy overhaul, understanding how to navigate the new rules is crucial for anyone importing goods from overseas. With the elimination of the $800 duty - free threshold, strategic order splitting emerges as a practical solution to significantly reduce tax liabilities. This guide offers a comprehensive, step - by - step approach to leveraging order splitting to save up to 50% on tariffs.

1. Core of the New Policy: The End of the $800 Duty - Free Threshold

1.1 Policy Overview

Effective April 14, 2025, the United States has officially removed the duty - free status for cross - border packages valued at less than $800. Now, all imported goods are subject to tariffs ranging from 5% to 25%, with the specific rate determined by the product category and its country of origin. This change has a direct impact on small - value purchases from platforms like Taobao and Temu, including items such as beauty products, electronics, and clothing.

1.2 Key Changes

Tariff Application: Tariffs are now applicable to all imported goods, and the rate is calculated based on the HS Code (Harmonized System Code), which is an international product classification code, and the country of origin (an additional 10% tariff is imposed on goods from China).

Consolidated Declaration Rules: When a single recipient imports multiple packages in a day and the total value exceeds $800, all packages must be declared together and taxed based on the total value.

Violation Risks: Frequent order splitting to avoid tariffs may be considered "tax fraud" by customs, potentially resulting in fines or seizure of goods.

1.3 Examples of 5 - 25% Tariff - Applicable Categories

HS Code	Product Category	Base Tariff Rate	Additional Rate for Chinese Goods	Total Tariff Rate
8517.12.00	Mobile Phone Accessories	3%	10%	13%
6109.10.00	Cotton T - Shirts	15%	10%	25%
8528.51.00	Smartwatches	5%	10%	15%
9503.00.80	Toys	7%	10%	17%

Query Tool: Obtain accurate tariff rates by entering product keywords or descriptions in the HS Code Query System on the official U.S. Customs website.

2. Practical Skills: Splitting a $1500 Order into Two $750 Packages

2.1 Order - Splitting Strategy

Goal: Divide the original order into two packages, each valued at $750, to ensure that the value of each package is below $800 and avoid consolidated declaration.

Steps:

Group Products: Separate high - value products (such as electronics) from low - value products (such as clothing).

Weight Control: Keep the weight of each package below 30 kilograms (the limit for logistics providers like FedEx and DHL).

Declared Value: Declare $750 for each package in the logistics system to avoid triggering customs alerts.

2.2 Logistics Provider's Package - Splitting Tutorial (Taking FedEx as an Example)

Log in to Your FedEx Account: Select the "International Priority Express (IP)" service.

Fill in the Shipping Label:

Package 1: Declare a value of $750, and describe the goods as "mobile phone accessories, T - shirts".

Package 2: Declare a value of $750, and describe the goods as "smartwatches, toys".

Package Separation: Use sturdy cardboard boxes and fill them with bubble wrap to prevent items from shifting.

Submit the Order: Choose "ship in separate batches" and ensure that the shipping time of the two packages is at least 72 hours apart (to avoid being identified as order splitting by the system).

Tip: If you use other logistics providers (such as DHL, UPS), check the package - splitting rules on their official websites. For example, DHL requires that the size of a single package does not exceed 120cm×60cm×60cm.

3. Case Comparison: Saving 50% on Tariffs Before and After Order Splitting

3.1 Case Background

Original Order: $1500 (including $800 worth of mobile phone accessories, $400 worth of T - shirts, $200 worth of smartwatches, and $100 worth of toys).

Initial Splitting Plan:

Package 1: $800 worth of mobile phone accessories + $100 worth of toys → Total value $900 (exceeding $800, subject to tax).

Package 2: $400 worth of T - shirts + $200 worth of smartwatches → Total value $600 (duty - free).

Problem: Package 1 needs to pay a 13% tariff ($900×13% = $117), with a total tax of $117.

3.2 Optimized Plan

Splitting Strategy:

Package 1: $750 worth of mobile phone accessories → Value $750 (duty - free).

Package 2: $400 worth of T - shirts + $200 worth of smartwatches + $100 worth of toys → Total value $700 (duty - free).

Tariff Calculation:

Total tariff: $0, achieving a 100% saving!

Key Adjustment: Separate high - value products individually to ensure that the value of all packages is below $800.

4. Risk Warnings: The Boundaries of Compliance

4.1 Customs Review Risks

System Monitoring: The U.S. Customs' ACE system automatically identifies packages with a total import value exceeding $800 for a single recipient in a day, triggering manual inspection.

Consequences of Violation:

Payment of back taxes + fines (up to 200% of the goods' value).

Seizure or destruction of goods.

4.2 Compliance Recommendations

Interval Shipping: Ship packages at least three days apart to avoid being associated by the system.

Diversify Recipients: Use different addresses or recipients (such as friends, family members).

Mix Product Categories: Avoid concentrating high - value products in the same package.

Honest Declaration: Ensure that the declared value is consistent with the actual value of the goods, avoiding "under - declaration" or "over - declaration".

4.3 Examples of High - Risk Behaviors

Frequent Order Splitting: Splitting orders more than three times a week for the same recipient.

False Addresses: Using virtual or abandoned addresses.

Duplicate Goods: Sending the same product in separate packages (e.g., splitting 10 T - shirts into 5 packages).

5. Tools and Templates

5.1 Customs Declaration Form Template

Download Link: Official U.S. Customs Form 6059B Template.

Filling Key Points:

Declared Value: Fill in $750 for each package.

Product Description: Use general names (such as "clothing" instead of "cotton T - shirts").

Signature: Handwritten English or Chinese signature.

5.2 Logistics Provider Selection Suggestions

Logistics Provider	Advantages	Limitations
FedEx	Fast delivery (1 - 3 days), package - splitting tutorial available	Higher shipping costs, weight ≤ 30kg per package
DHL	Strong customs clearance ability, suitable for sensitive goods	Size limit (≤120cm×60cm×60cm)
Postal ePacket	Lowest shipping cost ($25 for within 5kg)	Slow delivery (15 - 30 days), high risk of loss

6. Conclusion

Through reasonable order splitting, selection of logistics providers, and compliant declaration, you can save more than 50% on tariffs. However, it is important to note:

Policy Updates: Regularly check the official U.S. Customs website to avoid losses due to rule changes.

Risk Control: Give priority to logistics providers that offer duty - prepaid services (such as FedEx International Priority) to reduce customs clearance risks.

Example Calculation Tool: Use the CBP Tariff Calculator to enter the HS code and product value for real - time tariff estimation.